Yes, another thread about 2018 steering issues.

[GRIMJPR]

Ugh...I am so frustrated. I have been having issues with the steering assist on my (new to me) 2018 JLU with 59,900km.
I had it to a repair shop who looked at the power steering and said "nothing's wrong". So I took it to the dealership (thankfully I am under extended warranty but didnt know this at first), I talked to them about the TSB, they could not replicate the situation, but they did the module update, even though my VIN wasn't actually included in the recall. It didnt fix the problem, so I took it back. They checked the IBS after I mentioned that the start/stop wasnt working (thanks to you good people). It was only running at 70%, so they reconfigured/reset it, now start/stop is working. I went a couple of days without the power steering assist going out (which isnt uncommon), but then it went out again this morning. It's so discouraging. All the recalls have been done, all the power steering components seem to be fine....I feel fortunate that my dealership is taking it seriously, and we continue to work at finding a solution, but damn!

Happens in warmer (but still below freezing) temps (-4 for example), or in quite cold (like -20).
Happens at highway speeds (90km/hr), but has happened at 60km/hr as well.
Happens on straight runs, or after turns.
ALWAYS kicks back in when I drop my speed to 40km/hr
No lights on my dash.

Anyone happen to have any thoughts?

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[aldo98229]

I’m confused. Did they do the steering box TSB or not? If not, I don’t care if the dealer “can’t replicate” it; you simply don’t want that weak aluminum steering box on your Jeep.

I’d speak to the Service Manager. But before you do, read up the actual TSB document so that you know what keywords will trigger them into action.

Here is the TSB document on the official NHTSA website: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10184470-9999.pdf

Separately, I have heard of people having issues with their steering assist when the batteries start to go. JL's steering assist is electric, so electrical issues can and will impact your steering assist. The fact that your ESS stops working is indication that your batteries are starting to go.

Unfortunately, for some reason Jeep dealers become mentally dense when it comes to diagnosing battery issues.

My suggestion to you is the same I give to everyone else having electrical issues:

1. Make sure your fuses are properly seated and all terminals are tight
2. Replace the batteries YOURSELF! Don’t go to the dealer for batteries. Firstly, you will die of old age before the dealer offers to replace the batteries. Secondly, they will use the exact same crappy batteries that came from the factory and you will be back to square one in a few months
3. In the unlikely scenario that new batteries don’t fix things, I’d look at the CANBUS connectors located behind the glove compartment. But this usually produces different symptoms.

I want to stress again that doing the steering box TSB and replacing the batteries are two separate issues, and I’d have both done.

Good luck.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I have a 2018 as well. The steering box TSB change is from an aluminum steering box to a steel/iron steering box. It's easy to tell if it's been done. Look at the steering box. If it's silver/gray, it's the old original box. If it's black it's the new updated box. The TSB requires that the latest trackbar be installed as well. There is also a software update, which you may already have. This TSB is one I think all the 2018 and 19s should get.

 

[aldo98229]

My understanding is that latter cast iron steering boxes were painted gray as well, so that is not a fool-proof way to check any more.

Either way, the dealer should be able to tell you whether your Jeep had the TSB done or not.

 

[Bob Burd]

Sounds like the problem is power steering goung out, not loose steering. Changing the box won't help. This IS a CANBUS problem symptom. I had mine go out several timed before i isolated the bad actor on the CANBUS (in my case, the swaybar disconnect). Changing out the connector as Aldo suggests is only one of many possible failure mechanisms. There are more than a dozen systems tied to the same bus and an intermittent short in a number of places can cause irregularities that may light up the dash, lose power steering, even set your wipers on.

 

[roaniecowpony]

My understanding is that latter cast iron steering boxes were painted gray as well, so that is not a fool-proof way to check any more.

Either way, the dealer should be able to tell you whether your Jeep had the TSB done or not.

I hadn't heard of that. Will keep it in mind. Since I worked in machine shops and as an engineer, identifying bare aluminum, steels and iron are usually pretty easy for me, describing it to someone else is sometimes difficult. BTW, I got my steering box replaced about 1 year ago now and it was painted black.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Sounds like the problem is power steering goung out, not loose steering. Changing the box won't help. This IS a CANBUS problem symptom. I had mine go out several timed before i isolated the bad actor on the CANBUS (in my case, the swaybar disconnect). Changing out the connector as Aldo suggests is only one of many possible failure mechanisms. There are more than a dozen systems tied to the same bus and an intermittent short in a number of places can cause irregularities that may light up the dash, lose power steering, even set your wipers on.

Damn car engineers. They could take a few lessons in safety from the aircraft industry.

 

[GRIMJPR]

Sounds like the problem is power steering goung out, not loose steering. Changing the box won't help. This IS a CANBUS problem symptom. I had mine go out several timed before i isolated the bad actor on the CANBUS (in my case, the swaybar disconnect). Changing out the connector as Aldo suggests is only one of many possible failure mechanisms. There are more than a dozen systems tied to the same bus and an intermittent short in a number of places can cause irregularities that may light up the dash, lose power steering, even set your wipers on.

I kind of wish something else was happening, it may guide them in a direction. Nothing else happens, not a light or odd action in any other area.

My dealership hasn't given up. They hope I can bring it in immediately after it happens (without turning off the vehicle) to see if it's throwing a code. Thankfully this beast came with extended warranty and my dealership really wants to help me sort it out!

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